Nov. 29, 2006

USC and Clemson student-athletes have teamed up against hunger in South Carolina. Benefiting Harvest Hope Food Bank, the student-athletes organized events for teams to collect food for three weeks prior to the rivalry football game, held last Saturday at Clemson.

The winner of the 2006 Clemson vs. Carolina food drive, which was announced on the field prior to the start of the game, was South Carolina, collecting 12,317 pounds of food. Together, USC and Clemson student-athletes collected enough food to feed 300 South Carolinians in need for a week.

The University of South Carolina Athletics Department is committed to providing volunteer opportunities for student athletes to connect with people in the surrounding community. Every year, student athletes from different athletic teams coordinate team projects by taking responsibility to serve as goodwill ambassadors not only for their respective programs, but also for the Athletics Department and the University of South Carolina as a whole. In addition, a number of student athletes elect to perform individual community service hours in a variety of areas.

The greater Columbia community is invited to utilize members of Team Gamecocks to serve as role models and willing volunteers. For more information on Team Gamecocks, please visit their website at uscsports.com or call (803) 777-9913.